The Place: Cafe Europa 1537 Howe Ave. (near Arden Way)The Soup: LentilThe Price: $3.50 for a surprisingly large bowlThe 411: Lusciously thick with beans and loaded with tomato-y, garlicky flavorThe Verdict: A surprise winner from a small Greek cafe tucked away in a strip mall.Word Up: A buck buys you a side of pita bread. Also on the menu: avgolemono.

The Place: Karabas Café 211 Lathrop Way (near Commerce Circle)The Soup: MeatballThe Price: $4.99 for a deep bowl, plus breadThe 411: Hearty and homespun, with potatoes, onions, carrots and a magnificent meatball plopped in the middleThe Verdict: An intoxicating broth, heavily peppered and spiked with fresh cilan- tro, is the key to this amazing soup.Word Up: The cafe is hidden in a business park, but once you’ve arrived, it’s like visiting Grandma’s house. The borscht also is the bomb.

The Place: Star Ginger Asian Grill & Noodle Bar 3101 Folsom Blvd.The Soup: Spicy Thai chickenThe Price: $4.95 for a good-size bowlThe 411: A milky coconut bath of a soup, with rice, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemon grass and a little kick from the chiliesThe Verdict: Delightfully different, with an artful balance of spicy, salty and sweetWord Up: You can also get pho and other noodle soups here, but it’ll cost you a few bucks more.